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Old 13-04-2008, 08:47 PM
Gerald Sargent
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Focusing DSLR - help please

I have a Canon 300D and I have the greatest difficulty in
focusing to get pin point sharp stars. I have aright angle
maginifying clip on attachment to the pentaprism but do
not seem to be able to get good results. Can anyone
advise of any software solution to this, I have most of the
control programs, Maxim +dslr, CCDSoft etc. Help appreciated
Gerald.
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  #2  
Old 13-04-2008, 08:58 PM
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seeker372011 (Narayan)
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I use DSLR focus-I have a 300D and it works just fine
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Old 13-04-2008, 09:22 PM
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Lose the right angle finder as a starting point - I found it to be more trouble than it was worth. It has a separate focusing ring as I remember which made for double the confusion!!
Good luck, the software route may be the way to go for you.
Doug
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Old 13-04-2008, 09:45 PM
Zuts
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Hi Gerald,

I never used DSLR focus because it wont work with later model canons so I used FocusAssist http://www.xmission.com/~jstanley/focusassist/ and an on screen magnifier for good results.

There are a few hardware solutions as well. I used a Stilletto focus aide http://www.stellar-international.com/digitalfg.html. I sold it but some people swear by them. Also you could pm Houghy as he recently purchased an electronic focus ring.

Paul
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Old 13-04-2008, 10:12 PM
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EzyStyles (Eric)
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DSLR Focus works well to get those nice pinpoint stars. Although as what Paul said, only works with the older canons 300d, 350d, 20, 20DA. You can also try the hartmanns mask technique.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,187,0,0,1,0
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Old 14-04-2008, 04:03 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Are you using at prime focus through a scope, or just with a lens?
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Old 14-04-2008, 04:14 AM
gbeal
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Use MaxDSLR Gerald, it works well.
Gary
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Old 14-04-2008, 07:36 AM
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mostschaedel (Gerald)
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Hi Gerald!
The software "ImagePlus "from Mike Unsold is also a well working focusing tool for ALL DSLR cameras. It supports also the newest cameras. In addition ImagePlus supports you in calibrating the raw images in automatic mode very nicely! There is a lot of image proccessing support also in this software but i prefer Astroart and PS CS.
Gerald
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Old 14-04-2008, 10:31 AM
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Hi Gerald, I've been using DSLR Focus on my 300D from the day I bought the camera, almost. I wouldn't be without it. Mind you I'm sure the other programs do just as good a job.
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Old 14-04-2008, 11:59 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuts View Post
Hi Gerald,

I never used DSLR focus because it wont work with later model canons so I used FocusAssist http://www.xmission.com/~jstanley/focusassist/ and an on screen magnifier for good results.

There are a few hardware solutions as well. I used a Stilletto focus aide http://www.stellar-international.com/digitalfg.html. I sold it but some people swear by them. Also you could pm Houghy as he recently purchased an electronic focus ring.

Paul
its a dud
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Old 14-04-2008, 12:20 PM
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dannat (Daniel)
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Pardon my lack of knowledge in this area but what cord are you using to utilise the software focusers ?
I have just began & cannot focus with the lcd on (don't have live view)

I was thinking about trying a hartmann mask - is this ok for someone starting out

thanks daniel
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Old 14-04-2008, 12:29 PM
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Daniel, use your camera usb to connect to your desktop/laptop, you can then view you focus downloads in a suitable program (IP, Maxim DSLR etc) Trying to focus of the LCD is a pita if it isn't live view. A hartmann mask or even crossed wires to create diffraction spikes can help.
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Old 14-04-2008, 12:34 PM
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Daniel a good Hartmann mask is a great starting point.

Before we got our 40D with live view we used a hartmann mask for all our focusing.

David
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Old 14-04-2008, 12:40 PM
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dannat (Daniel)
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Secondly, I have a mac - does anyone know which of the programs runs natively on a mac??
thanks
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Old 14-04-2008, 12:47 PM
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Quote:
runs natively on a mac



Just jokin' PC user an' all

What camera are you using Daniel?
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Old 14-04-2008, 12:55 PM
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dannat (Daniel)
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I have an olympus e-500
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Old 15-04-2008, 01:45 AM
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mostschaedel (Gerald)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders] View Post
Hi Gerald, I've been using DSLR Focus on my 300D from the day I bought the camera, almost. I wouldn't be without it. Mind you I'm sure the other programs do just as good a job.
Hi Paul!
I do have an older version of ImagePlus. which does not have the graphic display of the star. The graphic display of the star in DSLRFocus and Maxim is nice and helpful.
But the numerical information in ImagePlus about the stars sharpness is help enough. Could be that the latest version of IP does already have the
graphic display of the stars sharpness?

Sorry for that much "blablah" from my side.
Simple message
ImagePlus software is good enough for getting the best focusing and sharp images.

Hartmann mask alone without PC display in my experience can give also sharp images but not always...
The focusing without the mask but via software is a little slower but gets more perfect results in my experience.
Gerald
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Old 15-04-2008, 05:57 AM
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Daniel from memory you can get ImagesPlus to work on a Mac (don't quote me on that though), but I don't think DSLR Focus will though it should work with the Olympus.
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Old 15-04-2008, 07:14 AM
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dannat (Daniel)
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Paul, what are you doing , it is I that should be giving you a poke, all mac users are .
One last thing - Microsoft works

When I watch others using PC's I see they want to

I will investigate what I can use, thanks for the info
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Old 15-04-2008, 07:17 AM
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dannat (Daniel)
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One thing I was thinking about, does anyone use a palm pilot to achieve focus, or even one of those old 4" tv screen's??

Or I could just wait for the iphone to come to Aus , and NO, I am not tempted to buy a hacked one - people have had too many hassles
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